Making Ends Meet survey - is your family getting by?

The Orkney Partnership is asking for the views of families with experience of hardship and disadvantage, through a short survey.

Families can complete the 'Making Ends Meet' survey online or can download and print a four page PDF from the Orkney Partnership website.

Support is also available from local organisations to help you complete the survey - these can be found in the support summary document, available for download here.

Some of these organisations will also be able to offer you help with managing money.

The survey consists of 10 questions. It should take about 15 minutes to complete. You don't need any special information to hand to answer the questions.

There is no need to answer all the questions if you'd rather not, your responses will still be useful - if you can't or don't want to answer a question, move on to the next one.

All answers are completely confidential - you are not required to give your name - but quotes from your comments may be used anonymously.

Councillor James Stockan is Chair of the Orkney Partnership – the community planning partnership and lead body for joint working between public and voluntary organisations in the county. He says the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a huge challenge for households across Orkney:

“We’re keenly aware the pandemic has added huge pressure to many households with many facing financial difficulties.

“For some families, it may be the first time they have faced these circumstances; for all it has the potential to be distressing and often comes with a feeling of being powerless, with huge ramifications for the wellbeing of families and children affected.

“It’s important to stress that poverty is not just about being unable to afford the basics like food, housing, clothing and bills – we are also talking here about overall wellbeing of everyone in the family, and being able to enjoy life and to give children access to the social experiences and activities so important to their mental health and wellbeing.

“We’d urge families who are struggling to make ends meet, or find issues like their health or the costs of extras mean their children are missing out on opportunities to please give us your views. It will help the Partnership identify ways families in Orkney need support in the coming months and years.”

Paper copies of the survey are available if you prefer not to complete the online form. Copies are available for collection from OIC reception in School Place. If you’d prefer to be sent a paper copy (together with a free return envelope) please email the Community Planning team with your name and address.

Completed surveys should be returned in a sealed envelope to Anna Whelan at Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall KW15 1NY - you can post it, or drop into the Council letterbox at School Place, Kirkwall if more convenient.